Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: An Intresting discussion on use of Power Sand with Aqua

I use Devanahalli Magic. I think I have added to it whatever a substrate needs to grow plants.
Almost free of cost thanks to the IAH network in Bangalore.

I don't worry about NH3 or NO3 getting into the water.
For folks who cannot DIY a substrate or are afraid of failure or don't have the patience, well then you have ADA Aquasoil.
I have grown plants with commercial substrates, locally available soil substrates, no substrate, coir mat as substrate, plants will grow with all of them.
We grow and feed a billion people in this land of ours, surely we can grow a few weeds with the same thingy!

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:10 am Post subject: Re: An Intresting discussion on use of Power Sand with Aqua

Freshly dug Laterite collected from some remote area while on a drive, mixed about 2 liters of this laterite with a little - 2-3 handfull - of sphagnum peat moss.
Mixed both with shell free river gravel. This made the bottom 2 cm.
Above this 4 inches of shell free river gravel.

This gave me my best tank running for 5 years, which I dismantled in March this year.
This tank too got CO2 and water column dosing as I do normally for all tanks.

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: Re: An Intresting discussion on use of Power Sand with Aqua

I have seen demanding, stemmed plans like Myriophyllum thriving in sluggy/clay substrate and on fine/corse sand in the wild. They just adapt and do with what they get and i guess it is so in aquariums.

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:01 am Post subject: Re: An Intresting discussion on use of Power Sand with Aqua

They get a lot in the wild that's why they thrive. Decaying humic substances in the substrate helps a lot. The water column too might be bringing in what they need.
Give them the same in the aquarium and they'll thrive here also.
We can never match the light levels plants get in nature, so we need to adjust everything else to our light levels.
One study by Tropica shows plant biomass increasing more with only CO2 addition, than with only increase in light.
With high light tanks, keep your CO2 high, and nutrient levels up, plants will grow, algae will subside.

In low tech tanks with low light and no CO2, provide a carbon source in the substrate, provide nutrients through extra fish food, plants will grow. That's the Diana Walstad method.

Add small quantities of nutrients once in a while, you don't need to add extra fish food. That's the modernisation of Diana Walstad method.

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: An Intresting discussion on use of Power Sand with Aqua

thanks for the suggestion. i am a newbie... please don't mind my dumb questions sometimes.
i have only seen branded and packaged substrates till now. and used the ocean free stuff for two small cubicles. that i have placed in a large aquarium.

had a planted tank before with some black powder fertilizer supplied by sea bird aquarium ... worked out well .. but i have dismantled now for renovation works in my house

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